object of
attraction to some of the officers; but the very indifference of Mr.
Dutton gave a value to his admiration, and made her more eager to obtain
it than that of the rest. Besides, the vacuity of mind and employment
at sea, a brisk flirtation is sure to attract lookers-on, and become a
fruitful incentive to malice and envy. Bluebell could not account for the
unfriendly interest she excited, as her Canadian education had taught her
to regard fraternizing _pro tem_. with any sympathetic masculinity a very
unimportant matter, and about as much a precursor to matrimony as if her
companion were of the same sex; and she had been far too hard hit to bear
any down-right love-making from another man so soon after. Mr. Dutton
was, perhaps, as inflammable as most sailors, but he could not make
Bluebell out. She evidently liked his society, and became pleasant and
animated when they were together, which they were pretty constantly; yet
if ever he ventured on anything tender she had a way of putting it by in
the most unembarrassed manner possible, which piqued while it perplexed
him.

On one occasion, when she had let some warmer speech than usual glance
off, he chose to take it as a snub, and, pretending to be offended,
betook himself to masculine society and smoking. Bluebell was alone all
day, a prey to the ill-natured watchfulness of her two enemies, whose
quickened observation and exultant faces proved they had noticed the
cessation of his attentions. Once or twice he passed her without a word
or look, regardless of the innocent surprise in her eyes. "Perhaps he is
trying to gain 'moral influence over me,' as well as his cousin Kate,"
thought she, with a little laugh. At dinner he dropped into a seat next
Mrs. Butler instead of his usual one by herself, and, from the bride's
incessant giggle, was apparently devoting himself to her entertainment.
Bluebell had no one to speak to except the kind old captain, with whom
she was rather a favourite, and who chatted away willingly enough, till
she ceased to hear that disagreeable and affected laughter.

"Miss Leigh," said a penitent voice in her ear, "will you come on deck?
There's a little land bird in the rigging."

"No, no," said the captain. "I won't have this young lady disturbed; it
is very cold on deck, and she is better here."

"I thought you would like to see it," said the lieutenant, gloomily. "It
is very tired--blown off shore, I should think."

"Indeed, I'd like